166
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT - Engine oil
Should prevailing use of the car be under
one of the following specially heavy con-
ditions:
❒trailer or caravan towing;
❒dusty roads;
❒short distances (less than 7-8 km) re-
peated and with external tempera-
tures below zero;
❒frequently idling engines or long dis-
tance low speed driving (e.g. taxis or
door-to-door deliveries) or in case of
a long term inactivity;
replace engine oil more frequently than
required on “Service schedule”.
IMPORTANT - Air cleaner
If the car is used on dusty roads change
the air cleaner more frequently than the
indications in the “Service schedule”.
If in doubt as to how often the engine oil
and air cleaner should be changed ac-
cording to how you use the car, contact
a Fiat Dealership.IMPORTANT - Pollen filter
If the vehicle is used frequently in dusty or
heavily polluted environments it is advis-
able to replace the filtering element more
frequently; in particular it should be re-
placed if a reduction of the amount of air
admitted to the passenger compartment
is noted.
IMPORTANT - Diesel filter
The possibility of topping up with diesel
fuel not complying with EN590 European
Norm might make it necessary to replace
the filter more frequently than indicated
in the “Service schedule”.IMPORTANT - Battery
The charge in the battery should be
checked at the start of winter to limit the
risk of electrolyte freezing.
This check should be carried out more
frequently if the car is used mainly for
short trips, or if it is fitted with accessories
that permanently absorb electricity even
with the ignition key removed, especially
in the case of after market accessories. If
the car is used in hot climates or particu-
larly harsh conditions it is wise to check
the level of the battery fluid (electrolyte)
more frequently than specified in the “Ser-
vice schedule” in this section.
Car maintenance should be
entrusted to Fiat Dealership.
For routine and minor main-
tenance operations you wish
to carry out yourself, always make sure
you have the proper equipment, gen-
uine Fiat spare parts and the necessary
fluids; do not however carry out these
operations if you have no experience.
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174
TECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONS
INDEX
DASHBOARD
AND CONTROLS
SAFETY
DEVICES
CORRECT USE
OF THE CAR
WARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
CAR
MAINTENANCE
IMPORTANT If the charge level remains
for a long time under 50%, the battery is
damaged by sulphation, reducing its ca-
pacity and starting attitude.
The battery will also be more at risk of
freezing (e.g. already at –10°C).
Refer to the paragraph “Car inactivity” in
“Starting and driving” if the car is left
parked for a long time.
If after buying the car, you want to install
electric accessories which require per-
manent electric supply (alarm, etc.) con-
tact the Fiat Dealership whose qualified
personnel, in addition to suggesting the
most suitable devices beloning to the Fi-
at Lineaccessori line, will evaluate the
overall electric absorption, checking
whether the car’s electric system is capa-
ble of withstanding the load required, or
whether it should be integrated with a
more powerful battery.
Since these devices continue absorbing en-
ergy even when the ignition key is off, they
gradually run down the battery. USEFUL ADVICE FOR
LENGTHENING THE LIFE OF
YOUR BATTERY
To avoid draining your battery and to
lengthen its life, observe the following in-
dications:
❒when you park your car, ensure that
doors, bonnet and flaps are well
closed in order to ensure that no lights
remain on inside the passenger com-
partment;
❒switch off all lights inside the car: the
car is however equipped with a system
which switches all internal lights off au-
tomatically;
❒when the engine is off, do not keep de-
vices running for long periods (e.g.
sound system, hazard lights etc.);
❒before performing any operation on
the electrical system, disconnect the
battery negative terminal cable;
❒screw the terminals of the battery
down hard.Batteries contain substances
that can be very dangerous for
the environment. t is advisable
to have the battery changed
by a Fiat Dealership where it will be
disposed of according to the law.
If the vehicle must remain
unused for a long time at
very low temperatures, remove the
battery and carry it to a warm place,
to avoid freezing.
WARNING
When performing any oper-
ations on the battery or near
it, always protect your eyes with the
special goggles.
WARNING
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